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Orioles' Colton Cowser makes spectacular game-ending catch vs. Rockies
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- Orioles' Colton Cowser makes spectacular game-ending catch vs. Rockies
Anyone who's ever played baseball has dreamed about making a game-winning catch. Or robbing a home run. Or maybe both.
Baltimore Orioles outfielder Colton Cowser lived the dream on Monday night against the Colorado Rockies , making what could very well be the catch of the year in Major League Baseball.
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With the Orioles clinging to a 2-1 lead over the Rockies and the tying run on second base in the bottom of the ninth inning, Jake McCarthy hit a deep fly ball to center field for what looked like a two-run, walk-off homer.
But Cowser intervened. Leaping high above the wall, he corraled the ball for the game's final out.
Predictably, the Orioles broadcast team went nuts.
"It's the best play I've ever seen," Orioles manager Craig Albernaz said afterward.
But even the most diehard baseball fans might have missed seeing the catch in real time because it came a little after 1 a.m. ET (11 p.m. local) due to a 98-minute rain delay in the fifth inning.
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"I was playing a little more shallow than I probably should have been in that situation. Just trying to cut down that runner," Cowser said, per MLB.com . "They have such a big outfield where your normal depth is way deeper than what it should be, so it was more than normal depth. And kind of before the play − just kind of the whole inning − it was like, 'If there's a ball hit kind of deep, just get your head down and go.'"
It's trade deadline day in Major League Baseball , with some big names expected to be dealt in the hours, minutes and seconds leading up to the 6 p.m. ET deadline.
The Los Angeles Dodgers ' trade for back-to-back Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal further solidified the World Series champions as the favorites to win it all once again.
"I don't think I've felt this good after getting swept," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said after Sunday's loss to the Boston Red Sox – who rode a wild winning streak into contention and should be involved in a deal or two ahead of the deadline.
Keep it here for the latest rumors and updates as the clock winds down:
Pirates set for Luke Weaver trade with MetsPushing for their first postseason appearance in 11 years, the Pittsburgh Pirates are bolstering their bullpen with a trade for Luke Weaver. Weaver has a 1.84 ERA this season for the New York Mets, in the first year of a two-year, $22 million deal.
Red Sox trade for Adley
RutschmanIn a stunning deal that marks the end of a failed rebuild in Baltimore, the Orioles are trading catcher Adley Rutschman to the Boston Red Sox Monday, Aug. 3, a rare intra-division deal for a three-time All-Star, ESPN first reported. Rutschman, 28, was the first overall pick in 2019, chosen over prep shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. as the OriolesÕ reward for a 115-loss season that prompted the hiring of now club president Mike Elias. Through two more 100-loss seasons, Elias continued collecting elite draftees and building what appeared to be a sustainable and potentially imposing youth movement.
Robbie Ray to PadresThe Giants are trading a former Cy Young winner within the NL West, sending Robbie Ray to the San Diego Padres in exchange for prospects Joniel Hernandez and Miguel Mendez.
Braves get Brent Suter
Atlanta landed left-handed pitcher Brent Suter in a trade with the Los Angeles Angels, sending infielder Nacho Alvarez Jr. to Southern California, the teams announced Monday morning.
Mets send Brooks Raley to PhilliesBrooks Raley has been traded from the Mets to the rival Phillies. The Mets are receiving outfielder John Spikerman and right-handed pitcher Luke Gabrysh in the deal. The move comes after the Mets also offloaded left-hander A.J. Minter to the Twins last Friday. Raley and Minter were the two likeliest trade candidates out of the Mets' bullpen given their expiring deals. The Mets also traded Freddy Peralta to the Rays on Sunday and right-handed reliever Huascar Brazoban to the White Sox early Monday morning.
Luis Arraez to the PhilliesThe Philadelphia Phillies are trading for three-time batting champion Luis Arraez and right-reliever Kaleb Kilian of the San Francisco Giants, a person with direct knowledge of the trade told USA TODAY Sports. The Giants will receive starter Ramon Marquez, the PhilliesÕ No. 4 prospect and reliever Marty Gair. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity since the trade has yet to be announced until physicals are complete. Arraez, a three-time All-Star, is hitting .324 this season with four homers, 47 RBIs and an .801 OPS. And although heÕs left-handed, he still rakes against lefties, hitting .315 with a .341 on-base percentage and .782 OPS. HeÕs exactly the type of hitter the Phillies are looking for, someone who is dramatically different than the rest of the slugging lineup they have in place. He has struck out just 21 times all season.
Blue Jays acquire Jose SorianoJust one day after trading away staff ace Kevin Gausman, the Toronto Blue Jays have added a starting pitcher to take his place in the rotation. The Jays have acquired right-hander Jose Soriano from the Los Angeles Angels, ESPN's Jeff Passan reports. In exchange, the Angels receive shortstop prospect Arjun Nimmala, outfielder Eddie Micheletti and right-hander Angel Rivero. Nimmala is the Jays' No. 2 overall prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, behind fellow shortstop JoJo Parker. The other two prospects aren't among the Jays' top 30.
Freddy Peralta experiment ends for MetsIt took David Stearns seven months to turn the No. 3 prospect in baseball into three players who don't crack anybody's top 100. In January, the Mets sent Jett Williams and Brandon Sproat to Milwaukee for Peralta and Tobias Myers. Williams was supposed to be part of the next contending Mets team. Instead, he's a Brewer, Peralta is a Ray and New York is last in the National League East. Stearns opened these talks asking for a top-100 prospect and more. He got none. He gave away any leverage he had by scratching Peralta on Friday, signaling he was about to hold a fire sale.
White Sox land Luis CastilloThe Chicago White Sox didn't have to prove they were legitimate playoff contenders, but they affirmed as much on Saturday when they acquired right-handed pitcher Luis Castillo from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for reliever Seranthony Dominguez, former outfield prospect Nolan Jones and catching prospect Boston Smith. Castillo, 33, was expendable in Seattle thanks to the Mariners' deep rotation, a gaggle of majors-ready prospects and the $24.1 million salary he's due in 2027. He also hasn't performed particularly well this season, posting a 5.06 ERA in 20 appearances (17 starts) this season. Yet Castillo is a three-time former All-Star who finished fifth in 2023 AL Cy Young award voting and as recently as last season pitched 180 innings. He'll add length to a White Sox rotation that thins out after No. 1 starter Sean Burke and No. 2 Davis Martin.
Cubs get Kevin GausmanKevin Gausman, 35, is 5-10 with a 4.38 ERA in 23 starts this season but has been one of the most consistent starters in baseball for the past half-decade, posting a 3.36 ERA from 2020-2025. A two-time All-Star, Gausman finished third in AL Cy Young voting in 2023. Toronto is receiving minor league outfielder Brett Bateman and infielder Ty Southisene in the trade. Gausman was stellar in the Blue Jays' 2025 postseason run, ultimately losing in Game 7 of the World Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Gausman started five games and also got the win in relief in Game 7 of the ALCS.
Skubal trade had nothing to do with moneyTarik Skubal is a Dodger, and perhaps more significantly the avatar for All That Is Wrong With Baseball, he and his new team the whipping boys for a looming lockout whether or not L.A. wins a seemingly inevitable third consecutive World Series title. The Dodgers are kicking everyoneÕs behinds in every facet of the game: Drafting, player development, scouting (which includes assessing internal talent) and providing a workplace where players want to be.
Mets' fire sale continuesWhile it's not the magnitude of the Freddy Peralta trade, the New York Mets have dealt another pitcher. The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported overnight that they've send hard-throwing reliever Huascar Brazoban to the Chicago White Sox for minor-league pitchers Gabe Davis and Zach Franklin.
1
/12
Blockbuster trades and late surprises on MLB trade deadline day
It's trade deadline day in Major League Baseball , with some big names expected to be dealt in the hours, minutes and seconds leading up to the 6 p.m. ET deadline.
The Los Angeles Dodgers ' trade for back-to-back Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal further solidified the World Series champions as the favorites to win it all once again.
"I don't think I've felt this good after getting swept," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said after Sunday's loss to the Boston Red Sox – who rode a wild winning streak into contention and should be involved in a deal or two ahead of the deadline.
Keep it here for the latest rumors and updates as the clock winds down:
Pirates set for Luke Weaver trade with MetsPushing for their first postseason appearance in 11 years, the Pittsburgh Pirates are bolstering their bullpen with a trade for Luke Weaver. Weaver has a 1.84 ERA this season for the New York Mets, in the first year of a two-year, $22 million deal.
1
/12
Blockbuster trades and late surprises on MLB trade deadline day
It's trade deadline day in Major League Baseball , with some big names expected to be dealt in the hours, minutes and seconds leading up to the 6 p.m. ET deadline.
The Los Angeles Dodgers ' trade for back-to-back Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal further solidified the World Series champions as the favorites to win it all once again.
"I don't think I've felt this good after getting swept," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said after Sunday's loss to the Boston Red Sox – who rode a wild winning streak into contention and should be involved in a deal or two ahead of the deadline.
Keep it here for the latest rumors and updates as the clock winds down:
Pirates set for Luke Weaver trade with MetsPushing for their first postseason appearance in 11 years, the Pittsburgh Pirates are bolstering their bullpen with a trade for Luke Weaver. Weaver has a 1.84 ERA this season for the New York Mets, in the first year of a two-year, $22 million deal.
2
/12
Blockbuster trades and late surprises on MLB trade deadline day
Red Sox trade for Adley
RutschmanIn a stunning deal that marks the end of a failed rebuild in Baltimore, the Orioles are trading catcher Adley Rutschman to the Boston Red Sox Monday, Aug. 3, a rare intra-division deal for a three-time All-Star, ESPN first reported. Rutschman, 28, was the first overall pick in 2019, chosen over prep shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. as the OriolesÕ reward for a 115-loss season that prompted the hiring of now club president Mike Elias. Through two more 100-loss seasons, Elias continued collecting elite draftees and building what appeared to be a sustainable and potentially imposing youth movement.
3
/12
Blockbuster trades and late surprises on MLB trade deadline day
Robbie Ray to PadresThe Giants are trading a former Cy Young winner within the NL West, sending Robbie Ray to the San Diego Padres in exchange for prospects Joniel Hernandez and Miguel Mendez.
4
/12
Blockbuster trades and late surprises on MLB trade deadline day
Braves get Brent Suter
Atlanta landed left-handed pitcher Brent Suter in a trade with the Los Angeles Angels, sending infielder Nacho Alvarez Jr. to Southern California, the teams announced Monday morning.
5
/12
Blockbuster trades and late surprises on MLB trade deadline day
Mets send Brooks Raley to PhilliesBrooks Raley has been traded from the Mets to the rival Phillies. The Mets are receiving outfielder John Spikerman and right-handed pitcher Luke Gabrysh in the deal. The move comes after the Mets also offloaded left-hander A.J. Minter to the Twins last Friday. Raley and Minter were the two likeliest trade candidates out of the Mets' bullpen given their expiring deals. The Mets also traded Freddy Peralta to the Rays on Sunday and right-handed reliever Huascar Brazoban to the White Sox early Monday morning.
6
/12
Blockbuster trades and late surprises on MLB trade deadline day
Luis Arraez to the PhilliesThe Philadelphia Phillies are trading for three-time batting champion Luis Arraez and right-reliever Kaleb Kilian of the San Francisco Giants, a person with direct knowledge of the trade told USA TODAY Sports. The Giants will receive starter Ramon Marquez, the PhilliesÕ No. 4 prospect and reliever Marty Gair. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity since the trade has yet to be announced until physicals are complete. Arraez, a three-time All-Star, is hitting .324 this season with four homers, 47 RBIs and an .801 OPS. And although heÕs left-handed, he still rakes against lefties, hitting .315 with a .341 on-base percentage and .782 OPS. HeÕs exactly the type of hitter the Phillies are looking for, someone who is dramatically different than the rest of the slugging lineup they have in place. He has struck out just 21 times all season.
7
/12
Blockbuster trades and late surprises on MLB trade deadline day
Blue Jays acquire Jose SorianoJust one day after trading away staff ace Kevin Gausman, the Toronto Blue Jays have added a starting pitcher to take his place in the rotation. The Jays have acquired right-hander Jose Soriano from the Los Angeles Angels, ESPN's Jeff Passan reports. In exchange, the Angels receive shortstop prospect Arjun Nimmala, outfielder Eddie Micheletti and right-hander Angel Rivero. Nimmala is the Jays' No. 2 overall prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, behind fellow shortstop JoJo Parker. The other two prospects aren't among the Jays' top 30.
8
/12
Blockbuster trades and late surprises on MLB trade deadline day
Freddy Peralta experiment ends for MetsIt took David Stearns seven months to turn the No. 3 prospect in baseball into three players who don't crack anybody's top 100. In January, the Mets sent Jett Williams and Brandon Sproat to Milwaukee for Peralta and Tobias Myers. Williams was supposed to be part of the next contending Mets team. Instead, he's a Brewer, Peralta is a Ray and New York is last in the National League East. Stearns opened these talks asking for a top-100 prospect and more. He got none. He gave away any leverage he had by scratching Peralta on Friday, signaling he was about to hold a fire sale.
9
/12
Blockbuster trades and late surprises on MLB trade deadline day
White Sox land Luis CastilloThe Chicago White Sox didn't have to prove they were legitimate playoff contenders, but they affirmed as much on Saturday when they acquired right-handed pitcher Luis Castillo from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for reliever Seranthony Dominguez, former outfield prospect Nolan Jones and catching prospect Boston Smith. Castillo, 33, was expendable in Seattle thanks to the Mariners' deep rotation, a gaggle of majors-ready prospects and the $24.1 million salary he's due in 2027. He also hasn't performed particularly well this season, posting a 5.06 ERA in 20 appearances (17 starts) this season. Yet Castillo is a three-time former All-Star who finished fifth in 2023 AL Cy Young award voting and as recently as last season pitched 180 innings. He'll add length to a White Sox rotation that thins out after No. 1 starter Sean Burke and No. 2 Davis Martin.
10
/12
Blockbuster trades and late surprises on MLB trade deadline day
Cubs get Kevin GausmanKevin Gausman, 35, is 5-10 with a 4.38 ERA in 23 starts this season but has been one of the most consistent starters in baseball for the past half-decade, posting a 3.36 ERA from 2020-2025. A two-time All-Star, Gausman finished third in AL Cy Young voting in 2023. Toronto is receiving minor league outfielder Brett Bateman and infielder Ty Southisene in the trade. Gausman was stellar in the Blue Jays' 2025 postseason run, ultimately losing in Game 7 of the World Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Gausman started five games and also got the win in relief in Game 7 of the ALCS.
11
/12
Blockbuster trades and late surprises on MLB trade deadline day
Skubal trade had nothing to do with moneyTarik Skubal is a Dodger, and perhaps more significantly the avatar for All That Is Wrong With Baseball, he and his new team the whipping boys for a looming lockout whether or not L.A. wins a seemingly inevitable third consecutive World Series title. The Dodgers are kicking everyoneÕs behinds in every facet of the game: Drafting, player development, scouting (which includes assessing internal talent) and providing a workplace where players want to be.
12
/12
Blockbuster trades and late surprises on MLB trade deadline day
Mets' fire sale continuesWhile it's not the magnitude of the Freddy Peralta trade, the New York Mets have dealt another pitcher. The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported overnight that they've send hard-throwing reliever Huascar Brazoban to the Chicago White Sox for minor-league pitchers Gabe Davis and Zach Franklin.
The win, the Orioles' eighth in their last 10 games, moved them to an even .500 on the season for the first time since April 30.
With the entire month of September to play, the O's sit just one half game behind the Cleveland Guardians for the third and final wild-card playoff spot in the American League.
Not bad for a team that was one of the biggest sellers at the Aug. 3 trade deadline .
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Orioles' Colton Cowser makes spectacular game-ending catch vs. Rockies
